Separate lubricating system for outboard engine

Abstract

A lubricating system for a two cycle engine, particularly of the outboard type, wherein the engine has a separate lubricating system and lubricant is supplied to this system by a relatively small delivery tank via gravity feed. In addition, an arrangement is provided for supplying lubricant to the delivery tank from a separate oil storage tank to maintain a predetermined liquid level in the delivery tank. This system includes a pump located in the separate storage tank. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the pump is operated if the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below a predetermined level. In accordance with one embodiment, the operation of the pump is stopped when the liquid level exceeds a predetermined level.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a lubricating system for a two cycle engine comprising a lubricant delivery system for delivering lubricant to the engine, a relatively small delivery tank for supplying lubricant therefrom to said lubricant delivery system, and a separate, larger capacity lubricant storage tank, the improvement comprising pumping means located in said storage tank for pumping lubricant from said storage tank into said delivery tank. 
     
     
       2. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 1, further including means responsive to the level of the liquid in the delivery tank for actuating the pumping means to maintain a predetermined level in the delivery tank. 
     
     
       3. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means responsive to the liquid level actuates the pumping means when the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       4. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means responsive to the liquid level effects discontinuance of the operation of the pumping means when the level in the delivery tank exceeds a predetermined level. 
     
     
       5. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 4, further including means for operating the pumping means when the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below a predetermined value. 
     
     
       6. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for operating the pumping means is effective to operate the pumping means for a predetermined period of time after the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below the predetermined level. 
     
     
       7. A lubricating system as set forth in any of claims 1 through 6 wherein the lubricant delivery system further includes an oil pump driven by the engine. 
     
     
       8. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 7 when the pumping means comprises an intermittently operated electrically driven pump. 
     
     
       9. In a lubricating system for a two cycle engine comprising a lubricant delivery system for delivering lubricant to the engine, a relatively small delivery tank for supplying lubricant therefrom to said lubricant delivery system, a separate large capacity lubricant storage tank, and pumping means for pumping liquid from said lubricant storage tank to said delivery tank, the improvement comprising said pumping means being operative in response to the liquid level in said delivery tank for maintaining a predetermined level therein. 
     
     
       10. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the means responsive to the liquid level actuates the pumping means when the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       11. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the means responsive to the liquid level effects discontinuance of the operation of the pumping means when the level in the delivery tank exceeds a predetermined level. 
     
     
       12. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 11, further including means for operating the pumping means when the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below a predetermined value. 
     
     
       13. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the means for operating the pumping means is effective to operate the pumping means for a predetermined period of time after the liquid level in the delivery tank falls below the predetermined level. 
     
     
       14. A lubricating system as set forth in any of claims 9 through 13 wherein the lubricant delivery system further includes an oil pump driven by the engine. 
     
     
       15. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 14 when the pumping means comprises an intermittently operated electrically driven pump. 
     
     
       16. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the engine is enclosed within a protective cowling, the delivery tank being contained within said protective cowling and the lubricant storage tank being positioned externally of the protective cowling. 
     
     
       17. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 16 further including conduit means including a detachable coupling carried in part by the protective cowling for conveying lubricant from the lubricant storage tank to the delivery tank. 
     
     
       18. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 16 further including a lubricant pump driven by the engine for delivering lubricant to components of the engine, the delivery tank being in fluid communication with the inlet to said lubricant pump. 
     
     
       19. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 18 wherein the lubricant pump delivers under pressure to at least certain bearings of the engine. 
     
     
       20. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 7 further including a lubricant pump driven by the engine for delivering lubricant to components of the engine, the delivery tank being in fluid communication with the inlet to said lubricant pump. 
     
     
       21. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 20 wherein the lubricant pump delivers lubricant under pressure to at least certain bearings of the engine. 
     
     
       22. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the engine is enclosed within a protective cowling, the delivery tank being contained within said protective cowling and the lubricant storage tank being positioned externally of the protective cowling. 
     
     
       23. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 22 further including conduit means including a detachable coupling carried in part by the protective cowling for conveying lubricant from the lubricant storage tank to the delivery tank. 
     
     
       24. A lubricating system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the oil pump driven by the engine supplies oil under pressure to at least some bearings of the engine.